Faith & Worship Faith & Worship

Prayers for the Lectionary Year C


Praying through the Lectionary Years A, B and  C - Good Friday


The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) offers a three-year cycle with four readings for every Sunday in the Church Year.

These readings are:
A Lesson from the Hebrew Scriptures (or Acts during the Season of Easter)
A Psalm
A Lesson from the Epistles or Acts
A Lesson from the Gospels


The following prayers follow a traditional form using the pattern of ACT (Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving).

There is also an opening prayer which can be used at the beginning of a service.


Good Friday (Years A, B and C)


Isaiah 52:12-53:12; Psalm 22; Hebrews 10:16-25; (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9); John 18:1-19:42

  

(Hold mouse over reference to see reading)


OPENING PRAYER

This is a day of mixed emotions, Lord. We are made aware of the pain that Jesus endured at the hands of soldiers, and upon the Cross. We think about the people who just a few days previously had welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem, now shouting for his death. Yet we know that this was a necessary process for the work of Salvation that began with your people so many thousands of years ago to be accomplished.
Help us to understand the path of love that Jesus travelled, and the reason why this led to the Cross. Help us in our response as we learn what it means to take up our cross and follow you. Amen






ADORATION


This is love.
Not that you spoke words of comfort,
walked with the unclean and unloved,
shared wisdom, bread and fish,
brought healing into lives
and challenged the status quo.
This is love.
That you spoke the word of God,
walked a painful road to the Cross,
shared living water, bread of life,
brought Salvation to the world
and died for the sake of all.
This is love.
It is a seed
sown in the ground,
which germinates,
blossoms,
and spreads its sweet perfume.




CONFESSION


You were a man of suffering
acquainted with grief,
loved and despised in equal measure.
You understand humanity,
know our failings,
love us despite the people that we are.
When we, like Peter, deny you
by word or action,
forgive us.
When we, like Judas, are tempted
to follow a different path,
forgive us.
When we, like those in the crowd
allow you to be crucified,
forgive us.
Bring us to the foot of the Cross
to stand next to the one who,
looking into your eyes declared
‘Surely this is the Son of God’
Amen.




THANKSGIVING


Love grows
as it is given,
blossoms
as it is shown.
Love flows
like a steam,
refreshes
that which is sown.

Love grows
as it is spoken,
embraces
hearts and souls.
Love flows,
like a river
making
empty vessels full.

Love grows
as it is taken,
increases
as it is shared.
Love flows
like an ocean
spreading
around the world.

Thank you, for your love.



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